15. Texas
> Innovation index score: 46.8 out of 100
> Employment in STEM fields: 6.6% of all workers – 17th highest (811,790 people total)
> Avg. annual income in STEM jobs: $97,680 – 14th highest
> Venture capital investments; 2021: $9.0 billion – 4th highest (794 VC deals total)
> Patents issued in 2020: 44.7 per 100,000 people – 19th most (13,192 total)
14. Connecticut
> Innovation index score: 47.1 out of 100
> Employment in STEM fields: 7.0% of all workers – 14th highest (109,580 people total)
> Avg. annual income in STEM jobs: $104,020 – 10th highest
> Venture capital investments; 2021: $1.7 billion – 20th highest (176 VC deals total)
> Patents issued in 2020: 96.5 per 100,000 people – 4th most (3,478 total)
13. Michigan
> Innovation index score: 47.4 out of 100
> Employment in STEM fields: 7.2% of all workers – 10th highest (293,880 people total)
> Avg. annual income in STEM jobs: $90,070 – 24th highest
> Venture capital investments; 2021: $1.4 billion – 22nd highest (162 VC deals total)
> Patents issued in 2020: 74.4 per 100,000 people – 8th most (7,478 total)
12. New Jersey
> Innovation index score: 50.4 out of 100
> Employment in STEM fields: 7.2% of all workers – 12th highest (276,770 people total)
> Avg. annual income in STEM jobs: $115,110 – 3rd highest
> Venture capital investments; 2021: $5.6 billion – 10th highest (226 VC deals total)
> Patents issued in 2020: 54.2 per 100,000 people – 13th most (5,027 total)
11. New Mexico
> Innovation index score: 50.5 out of 100
> Employment in STEM fields: 6.9% of all workers – 15th highest (53,280 people total)
> Avg. annual income in STEM jobs: $97,390 – 16th highest
> Venture capital investments; 2021: $169.3 million – 14th lowest (41 VC deals total)
> Patents issued in 2020: 24.1 per 100,000 people – 16th fewest (509 total)
