Innovation

Photos: The 10 most innovative states in America

By // March 28, 2019, 4:00 AM PST

Image 1 of 10

  • 1. Massachusetts

    Using 24 metrics across two key dimensions--human capital and innovation environment--WalletHub identified the following 10 states as the most innovative.

    Human capital considered factors such as the amount of STEM professionals in the state, the share of science and engineering graduates, and projected STEM-job demand by 2020. Innovation environment included the share of tech companies in the state, research and development (R&D) spending per capita, and R&D intensity.

    Using each state's weighted average across all metrics, the report ranked the states based on their "State Innovation Index" score.

    • WalletHub State of Innovation Index: 72.31
    • Human Capital Rank: 2
    • Innovation Environment Rank: 1

    Image: iStockphoto/Sean Pavone

  • 2. Washington

    • WalletHub State of Innovation Index: 68.03
    • Human Capital Rank: 4
    • Innovation Environment Rank: 3

    Image: iStockphoto/Sean Pavone

  • 3. District of Columbia

    • WalletHub State of Innovation Index: 67.47
    • Human Capital Rank: 1
    • Innovation Environment Rank: 17

    Image: iStockphoto/f11photo

  • 4. Maryland

    • WalletHub State of Innovation Index: 64.06
    • Human Capital Rank: 5
    • Innovation Environment Rank: 7

    Image: iStockphoto/Sean Pavone

  • 5. Colorado

    • WalletHub State of Innovation Index: 63.35
    • Human Capital Rank: 6
    • Innovation Environment Rank: 4

    Image: iStockphoto/Planet Unicorn

  • 6. California

    • WalletHub State of Innovation Index: 62.04
    • Human Capital Rank: 7
    • Innovation Environment Rank: 2

    Image: iStockphoto/nata_rass

  • 7. Virginia

    • WalletHub State of Innovation Index: 61.87
    • Human Capital Rank: 3
    • Innovation Environment Rank: 15

    Image: iStockphoto/Brian Pirwin

  • 8. Utah

    • WalletHub State of Innovation Index: 57.84
    • Human Capital Rank: 8
    • Innovation Environment Rank: 5

    Image: iStockphoto/tobinakehurst

  • 9. Delaware

    • WalletHub State of Innovation Index: 55.63
    • Human Capital Rank: 9
    • Innovation Environment Rank: 6

    Image: iStockphoto/gnagel

  • 10. Oregon

    • WalletHub State of Innovation Index: 53.82
    • Human Capital Rank: 12
    • Innovation Environment Rank: 8

    Also See

    Image: iStockphoto/Sean Pavone

1. Massachusetts

Using 24 metrics across two key dimensions--human capital and innovation environment--WalletHub identified the following 10 states as the most innovative.

Human capital considered factors such as the amount of STEM professionals in the state, the share of science and engineering graduates, and projected STEM-job demand by 2020. Innovation environment included the share of tech companies in the state, research and development (R&D) spending per capita, and R&D intensity.

Using each state's weighted average across all metrics, the report ranked the states based on their "State Innovation Index" score.

  • WalletHub State of Innovation Index: 72.31
  • Human Capital Rank: 2
  • Innovation Environment Rank: 1

Image: iStockphoto/Sean Pavone

Related Topics:

Innovation Tech & Work Digital Transformation Artificial Intelligence Internet of Things Smart Cities Hardware

By Macy Bayern

Macy Bayern is an Associate Staff Writer for TechRepublic. A recent graduate from the University of Texas at Austin's Liberal Arts Honors Program, Macy covers tech news and trends.