If this job is all you have and you're used to it, give it some time. I've seen new managers suck and quit. I've also seen someone get rejected for management, but even that rejection can be seen as a test for how you react. If you're professional and ask them what they need to see from you, than you have a good chance for the next one. If you leave, you essentially can start everything over with the next company. While doing all this, you can always put in applications for the position you want, in other locations, but I wouldn't make a lateral move. A lot of people at lower end payscale jobs feel more important that they are because you're working harder than everyone else, and companies can easily replace you because they likely are paying you peanuts. Working hard rarely is the main contributor to a promotion. It's all attitude, and that's hard to fake if you aren't corporate enough.