Can translating actually be a full-time job?

absolutely. I think most of them would be working for agencies on pretty good rates though. And also very experienced and being able to specialize in one field is another major plus.

i think it depends on the language pair but i've been translating JA>EN for 4 years; the first year it was definitely a parttime job but since then i've built up a reputation and i always have work and am making a lot more money then i would be in an office.
a friend of mine speaks danish and she's had full-time freelance work from the very beginning, so sometimes it's just a question of putting yourself out there and hoping for the best. go to Proz and make a free account and then apply for every agency you can find on the Blue Board that has a rating of 4/5 or above, perhaps? that's what got me the bulk of my work, it'll be maybe 3 hours of your life but the best investment you could make in your career imho

Definitely It is full time job. Translation can be a rewarding career, either as a full-time vocation or as a supplement to your writing jobs .To be a freelancer in western countries is a good career opportunity.

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