The highest-paying jobs in America

Money, of course, isn't everything. Still, nearly 7 in 10, or 68 percent of people polled in a recent Glassdoor survey, said salary and compensation were among their top considerations before accepting a job offer.

"There's no doubt that pay is among the leading factors most job seekers weigh when determining where to work," Glassdoor's chief economist, Dr. Andrew Chamberlain, said in a statement. "However, our research shows that a big paycheck isn't necessarily tied to long-term satisfaction in your job," he said. "We find that culture and values, career opportunities and trust in senior leadership are the biggest drivers of employee satisfaction."

But if you are determined to earn more in the year ahead, Glassdoor compiled a list of jobs that pay the best, based on salary reports shared by employees with these jobs over the past year. Click ahead for the highest-paying jobs for 2016.

— By CNBC's Jessica Dickler
Updated 15 March 2016

Median base salary: $120,000

Number of current job openings: 2,838

While this job is relatively new to the ranks, it cracked the top 10 for the second year in a row and has more job openings than many of the other occupations on Glassdoor's list. Career opportunities in this field are expected to grow 9 percent through the year 2024, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is faster than the national average for all occupations.

But a solutions architect goes well beyond IT. "It's critical that they understand the business and financial side of the business," said Amy Glaser, a career expert at Adecco, including employee management, to make sure everything runs smoothly day to day.

"I would recommend for any candidate to start early, take classes outside their traditional major, join some social clubs and extracurricular activities to help with team building," she said.

Median base salary: $120,000

Number of current job openings: 3,152

The IT manager has the tall task of planning and directing all computer-related activities at a company. Understandably, this executive-level position necessitates at least three to five years of experience.

But once at that point, there are a slew of job openings across a range of industries, and career opportunities are projected to grow 15 percent through 2024 as firms increasingly expand their business to digital platforms, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is much faster than the national average.

Median base salary: $127,500

Number of current job openings: 165

To land this highly specialized gig in charge of circuit design and production, candidates often need an advanced degree in electrical engineering or computer engineering and a good grasp of this ever-changing and advancing field.

In fact, the field is exploding so quickly, it didn't even make Glassdoor's top 25 last year.

Median base salary: $128,250

Number of current job openings: 655

Here's another hot job for those with an IT background, except software architects must bridge the gap between the tech team and a company's top management. That means a computer background is key — but so is a boatload of on-the-job experience.

A good software architect must both understand software and how to put together a vision to provide solutions for the company in the coming years, said Scott Dobroski, Glassdoor's career trends analyst.

Median base salary: $130,000

Number of current job openings: 701

For those with the ability to help companies maintain a competitive edge, there's plenty of lucrative opportunities out there, said Glaser, Adecco's career expert. "Employers are willing to pay more for those with a business-minded acumen and those that have the skills to find a proactive approach."

Even though it's brand-new to the top of Glassdoor's list, this is a worthwhile career path for anyone pursuing a business degree, she said.

Median base salary: $130,000

Number of current job openings: 1,766

Increased demand for prescription medications and complicated regulations has led to bigger salaries for highly skilled pharmaceutical professionals.

At the managerial level, this is a job that pays well but also shoulders a lot of responsibility, as they are the point person between consumers, insurance companies, biotech firms and, of course, the government.

Median base salary: $132,000

Number of current job openings: 3,495

STEM majors take note: Those that pursue a career in software development can have a promising, and profitable, future as a manager down the road.

Because of the high demand, career opportunities for software developers are expected to grow 17 percent through 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

There are currently more job openings for this position than any of the other highest-paying jobs in the top 10 — particularly in Silicon Valley and rising technology hubs, like Kansas City, Missouri; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Salt Lake City, Glassdoor's Dobroski said.

Median base salary: $142,120

Number of current job openings: 112

This office job doesn't require a specific advanced degree; rather, those that succeed have keen analytical and people skills.

These managers are involved in introducing new products and providing recommendations on how to improve existing products and services to make a business thrive. For those who can swing it, the job prospects are very good, particularly in industries with a lot of regulation.

Median base salary: $144,500

Number of current job openings: 995

Pursuing a law degree may be back in fashion as society becomes more and more litigious, noted Adecco's Glaser. For attorneys, that's a good thing.

Lawyers are currently in high demand across all industries, and those with a specific area of expertise are commanding a particularly lucrative rate — rocketing this profession to the second-highest spot this year.

Median base salary: $180,000

Number of current job openings: 2,064

Although changes in health care and health insurance have impacted incomes in the medical profession, doctors once again took the top spot in this year's survey.

"At the end of the day, doctors make a lot of money because, literally, lives are in their hands. That will never change," Dobroski said. It's a career that requires a high level of education, critical thinking and intense attention to detail. "That's why they get paid a handsome salary and why they won't be replaced by robots in the near future," he said.

Click here for Glassdoor's entire list.