Upstream Rehabilitation logo
Upstream Rehabilitation
Bellefonte, Pennsylvania

Physical Therapist Assistant

Physical Therapist AssistantFull-Time

Listed compensation

$52K - $66.6K

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 3mo ago

Job Description

  • Physical Therapist Assistant – Outpatient Orthopedics
  • Bellefonte, PA
  • Grow Your Physical Therapist Assistant Career with Us!

At Drayer Physical Therapy, a part of the Upstream Rehabilitation network, you’ll have the support, mentorship, and tools you need to thrive as a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) in a modern outpatient orthopedic setting.

We’re hiring full-time, part-time, and PRN PTAs who are passionate about helping patients recover movement and return to the activities they love. Whether you’re a recent graduate or an experienced clinician, you’ll find a collaborative environment, competitive pay, and a clear career path that grows with you.

Why Clinicians Choose Drayer Physical Therapy

  • Competitive Physical Therapist Assistant rates: $25.00 - $32.00 / hour
  • Achievable monthly clinical bonus program, over 90% of clinicians qualify
  • 100% employer paid medical health insurance premium option available
  • Dental and Vision insurance
  • 401k with company match
  • Generous PTO and paid holidays

Structured Onboarding and Mentorship for New-grad PTAs

  • Robust continuing education and CEU opportunities through Upstream - with annual allowance!
  • Pathways for professional development and long-term career advancement
  • Modern clinical technology that reduces documentation time so you can focus on patients
  • A supportive team and leadership invested in your success
  • What You’ll Do as a Physical Therapist Assistant
  • Deliver hands-on, evidence-based care under the supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist
  • Help patients improve mobility, strength, and function through individualized treatment plans
  • Track patient progress and collaborate closely with your clinical team
  • Foster positive relationships with patients, providers, and your local community
  • Continue your professional growth through Upstream’s mentorship and learning programs

Qualifications

  • Graduate of an accredited Physical Therapist Assistant program
  • Active Pennsylvania PTA license (or eligibility)
  • A Better Place to Build Your PTA Career

When you join Upstream Rehabilitation, you get the strength of a national network with the feel of a local clinic.

Our central support teams handle the administrative work, so you can focus on what matters most — the patient in front of you. With a network of over 1,200 clinics coast-to-coast across 26 brand partners, we lead the industry in quality outcomes, leveraging data, technology, and innovation to reduce paperwork and give you more time for care.

You’ll be part of a fantastic group of clinicians who shape our culture, create a positive work environment, and know how to have fun along the way. It’s easy to see why so many Physical Therapists choose to grow their careers with Upstream.

Estimated pay ranges listed above are based on several factors including but not limited to your pay class, experience, background and geographic location of the clinic

Benefits and eligibility are dependent on employment status and pay class (full-time, part-time, or PRN). Specific details will be provided during the hiring process

Upstream Rehabilitation is an Equal Opportunity Employer that strives to provide an inclusive work environment where our differences are celebrated for the value they bring to our communities, our patients and our teammates. Upstream Rehabilitation does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or other status protected under applicable law.

Key Responsibilities

Deliver hands-on, evidence-based care to patients under the supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist. Track patient progress and collaborate with the clinical team to improve patient mobility, strength, and function.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure

Key Skills

Patient careMobility assessmentTreatment planningClinical documentationEvidence-based practice

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Physical Therapist Assistant at Upstream Rehabilitation a 6.6 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Physical Therapist Assistant — ranked against 4,946 active Physical Therapist Assistant listings on WeekdayDoc.

Orthopedic Surgery — Physical Therapist Career Context

Orthopedic Surgery pay on WeekdayDoc is up 1.7% vs. the prior quarter (through Oct 2026).

The cost-of-living index for Pennsylvania is 97.6 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$32k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $33k in an average-cost state. 61.7% of Pennsylvania clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Orthopedic Surgery by the numbers
MeasureThis jobMarket
Work-life score6.6 / 10 · above average in physical therapist assistantranked against 4,946 Physical Therapist Assistant listingslisting-based score, 0–10
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$33k in purchasing powerPennsylvania index 97.6 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Orthopedic Surgery listings in Pennsylvania12 active405 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Sign-on & loan repaymentsign-on bonusPennsylvania physical therapist listings (all specialties): 23% state a sign-on bonus (median $10k) · 21% offer loan repayment977 active listings, Nov 2026
New Orthopedic Surgery listings357 in the last 30 days189 the 30 days before (+89%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Orthopedic Surgery pay trend+1.7% vs prior quarter—through Oct 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index (4,946 Physical Therapist Assistant listings), BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Nov 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Top PTA Jobs

7 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

5 jobs
2
<$70k
1
$78k
2
$80k-90k

Annual compensation range

Work-Life Balance Distribution

7 jobs · 5 employers
0
1-2
0
3-4
3
5-6
3
7-8
1
9-10

Higher = better work-life balance

#1

Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)

EmpowerMe Wellness · Carlsbad, California

$34-$42/hr
#2

Physical Therapist Assistant

Saco Bay PT · Auburn, Maine

$27-$40/hr
#3

Physical Therapist Assistant

$25-$37.5/hr
#4

Physical Therapist Assistant

$25-$32/hr
+ 5 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 4.8this job 6.6
Better work-life than 70% of Physical Therapist Assistant listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 4,946 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Upstream Rehabilitation logo

About Upstream Rehabilitation

Hospitals and Health Care
1,001-5,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
401k with company match
Generous PTO
Paid Holidays
CME Allowance
Mentorship Program

Living in Bellefonte

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$310k≈ 9.7× annual pay
Median resident rent
$975/mo≈ 37% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
20 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
96.8
State income tax
Up to 3.1%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Sep 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · State College, PA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.