To move up, you often have to move out. I'd cut my losses and move onto a different company, especially after your comment: > although I could probably get 50

To move up, you often have to move out. I'd cut my losses and move onto a different company, especially after your comment: > although I could probably get 50% more without much effort at other places. Unless you're perfectly happy with your job and your pay (it doesn't sound like you are) I'd start looking. If you can find more intellectually stimulating work elsewhere at better pay, that seems like a win-win.