25. Georgia
> Innovation index score: 41.3 out of 100
> Employment in STEM fields: 6.0% of all workers – 23rd highest (262,590 people total)
> Avg. annual income in STEM jobs: $96,130 – 19th highest
> Venture capital investments; 2021: $4.2 billion – 11th highest (261 VC deals total)
> Patents issued in 2020: 31.2 per 100,000 people – 22nd fewest (3,365 total)
24. Vermont
> Innovation index score: 41.7 out of 100
> Employment in STEM fields: 5.8% of all workers – 23rd lowest (16,540 people total)
> Avg. annual income in STEM jobs: $84,640 – 18th lowest
> Venture capital investments; 2021: $657.9 million – 25th lowest (35 VC deals total)
> Patents issued in 2020: 55.6 per 100,000 people – 12th most (359 total)
23. Rhode Island
> Innovation index score: 42.0 out of 100
> Employment in STEM fields: 6.3% of all workers – 20th highest (28,820 people total)
> Avg. annual income in STEM jobs: $101,890 – 11th highest
> Venture capital investments; 2021: $89.8 million – 7th lowest (27 VC deals total)
> Patents issued in 2020: 45.9 per 100,000 people – 17th most (503 total)
22. Pennsylvania
> Innovation index score: 42.0 out of 100
> Employment in STEM fields: 6.3% of all workers – 21st highest (349,380 people total)
> Avg. annual income in STEM jobs: $90,730 – 23rd highest
> Venture capital investments; 2021: $6.7 billion – 8th highest (384 VC deals total)
> Patents issued in 2020: 36.5 per 100,000 people – 25th most (4,737 total)
21. New York
> Innovation index score: 42.0 out of 100
> Employment in STEM fields: 5.6% of all workers – 18th lowest (481,860 people total)
> Avg. annual income in STEM jobs: $109,870 – 6th highest
> Venture capital investments; 2021: $49.6 billion – 2nd highest (2,140 VC deals total)
> Patents issued in 2020: 53.1 per 100,000 people – 14th most (10,540 total)