Duane Ottema's job search ended before it really got started.

The newly minted respiratory therapist had a job lined up at Wyoming Medical Center even before he graduated. WMC helped pay for his training and books.

"The future for [respiratory therapy] is going to be huge," he said. "There's already tons of job openings, and it's not just here in Casper. You can go anywhere, any state, any town you want."

Ottema said the field seemed like a perfect fit - good pay, high demand and job security.

Amy Merling, who expects to finish the respiratory therapy program in May 2009, has wanted to work in the medical field for a long time, partly because of the kindness extended to her during hospital visits as a child.

She is leaning toward neonatal and pediatric care, probably in a metropolitan children's hospital.

In Wyoming, the average hourly wage for respiratory therapists was $23.48 in May 2007, according to the Research and Planning Section, Wyoming Department of Employment.

Ben Hood is working this summer at the Dave Johnston Power Plant near Glenrock. He's in Casper College's electric power technology program.

In the next few years, power plants like Dave Johnston will need young workers to fill a large void left by retirements.

"They're looking at people who are going to run their power plants for another 30 years or more," he said.

Hood, 28, returned to college after working jobs with not nearly the pay potential or security of a power plant operator.

"You find a place that pays well, they don't have benefits. You find a place that has benefits, they don't pay well. It was just a crapshoot," he said.

Now Hood sees a very different future. The average hourly wage for power plant operators in Wyoming was $28.22 in May 2007.

"It's a living that will get you a house, it will get you enough that you can have a family and send your kids to college. It's that kind of living," he said.

Business Editor Tom Mast can be reached at tom.mast@trib.com, or call 307-266-0574.