35. Montana
> Innovation index score: 35.6 out of 100
> Employment in STEM fields: 5.7% of all workers – 21st lowest (26,850 people total)
> Avg. annual income in STEM jobs: $71,740 – the lowest
> Venture capital investments; 2021: $510.0 million – 23rd lowest (34 VC deals total)
> Patents issued in 2020: 16.3 per 100,000 people – 7th fewest (180 total)
34. Alabama
> Innovation index score: 35.7 out of 100
> Employment in STEM fields: 5.9% of all workers – 25th highest (114,200 people total)
> Avg. annual income in STEM jobs: $92,290 – 22nd highest
> Venture capital investments; 2021: $245.9 million – 17th lowest (57 VC deals total)
> Patents issued in 2020: 12.0 per 100,000 people – 6th fewest (607 total)
33. Missouri
> Innovation index score: 36.5 out of 100
> Employment in STEM fields: 5.6% of all workers – 17th lowest (151,620 people total)
> Avg. annual income in STEM jobs: $85,080 – 20th lowest
> Venture capital investments; 2021: $1.2 billion – 24th highest (103 VC deals total)
> Patents issued in 2020: 26.9 per 100,000 people – 19th fewest (1,657 total)
32. Alaska
> Innovation index score: 36.8 out of 100
> Employment in STEM fields: 6.5% of all workers – 18th highest (19,330 people total)
> Avg. annual income in STEM jobs: $92,340 – 21st highest
> Venture capital investments; 2021: $32.5 million – 3rd lowest (11 VC deals total)
> Patents issued in 2020: 9.1 per 100,000 people – 3rd fewest (67 total)
31. South Carolina
> Innovation index score: 37.1 out of 100
> Employment in STEM fields: 4.8% of all workers – 10th lowest (99,820 people total)
> Avg. annual income in STEM jobs: $83,320 – 15th lowest
> Venture capital investments; 2021: $252.3 million – 18th lowest (52 VC deals total)
> Patents issued in 2020: 26.6 per 100,000 people – 18th fewest (1,382 total)
