Once again, job seekers can look forward to prosperity in the biggest U.S. industry – health care.

Advances in medical technology are propelling a longevity and wellness revolution. In turn, the hiring climate heralds a robust 2005 for those who can deliver much-needed services.

“Health care workers are in demand, and they know it,” said a Career Builder.com quarterly employment forecast. “More than 300,000 jobs have been created in health care in the last year, with more on the way.”

A 2004 nationwide survey shows a $24.16 average hourly wage – almost a 20 percent jump from $21.26 in 2001.

Statistics like these should encourage more minorities to go into nursing and other medical fields, according to a diversity study released in February by Washington’s Institute of Medicine. Latinos represent 12 percent of the U.S. population but only 2 percent of registered nurses.

Brian Smedley, the institute’s senior program officer and the study’s director, said more workers are needed who can cross cultural and linguistic barriers.

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