20. Minnesota
> Innovation index score: 43.2 out of 100
> Employment in STEM fields: 7.2% of all workers – 11th highest (197,520 people total)
> Avg. annual income in STEM jobs: $97,140 – 17th highest
> Venture capital investments; 2021: $1.3 billion – 23rd highest (173 VC deals total)
> Patents issued in 2020: 82.9 per 100,000 people – 6th most (4,734 total)
19. Arizona
> Innovation index score: 43.5 out of 100
> Employment in STEM fields: 6.5% of all workers – 19th highest (188,040 people total)
> Avg. annual income in STEM jobs: $95,180 – 20th highest
> Venture capital investments; 2021: $2.0 billion – 17th highest (167 VC deals total)
> Patents issued in 2020: 43.2 per 100,000 people – 20th most (3,140 total)
24/7 Tempo
18. North Carolina
> Innovation index score: 44.4 out of 100
> Employment in STEM fields: 6.8% of all workers – 16th highest (300,820 people total)
> Avg. annual income in STEM jobs: $97,830 – 13th highest
> Venture capital investments; 2021: $3.5 billion – 13th highest (329 VC deals total)
> Patents issued in 2020: 37.1 per 100,000 people – 24th most (3,917 total)
17. Florida
> Innovation index score: 45.8 out of 100
> Employment in STEM fields: 5.1% of all workers – 13th lowest (434,920 people total)
> Avg. annual income in STEM jobs: $87,090 – 24th lowest
> Venture capital investments; 2021: $6.0 billion – 9th highest (500 VC deals total)
> Patents issued in 2020: 25.3 per 100,000 people – 17th fewest (5,513 total)
16. Idaho
> Innovation index score: 46.5 out of 100
> Employment in STEM fields: 5.8% of all workers – 24th lowest (44,160 people total)
> Avg. annual income in STEM jobs: $80,060 – 8th lowest
> Venture capital investments; 2021: $370.3 million – 21st lowest (40 VC deals total)
> Patents issued in 2020: 63.8 per 100,000 people – 10th most (1,213 total)
