Want to persuade people to switch careers and become teachers? Then raise teacher pay. A lot.

A national survey released today found 42 percent of college-educated Americans would consider becoming a teacher. But 1 in 5 of them would need an annual salary in the $50,000 to $59,000 range, and 1 in 4 would need $60,000 to $79,000.

Good luck with that: The average starting salary for teachers in Florida was about $33,000 in 2006-07, according to Florida Department of Education figures.

The question about luring career changers isn't an idle one. The report, from the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, says career changers are key to filling future teacher ranks, especially in high-needs schools.

- Ron Matus, state education reporter