What counts as a full time DJ? Is it level of income or the amount of gigs? I can just about guarantee you I’m at the top 5% (I have a feeling it’s closer to 1%) in terms of net revenue of solo op djs with just 70-75 events a year.Compared to what standard? Part time selectivity is not an effective measure of the DJ business itself.
While in my 30's and 40's I did well over 100 each year. I doubt there's many DJs in their 50's doing that today. Most are probably making YouTube videos to complain that bride's don't appreciate their "artistic integrity." Those who did this part-time still have their full time careers and 2 or 3 gigs a month seems like a lot. Ideal full time schedule is 4 each week for 45 weeks. (That's 2 weeks vacation, plus major Holidays off.) Most full timers I know averaged 150 gigs /yr and capable of handling anything from a bar mitzvah or wedding to corporate events ("specialist" is a code word for "part-time.")
Full-timers who didn't simultaneous grow into a post DJ career are probably belly-aching the most. Either way the reality is younger DJs have more curb appeal in the entertainment biz, and DJing is easier to do than ever before in every facet. Music, mixing, sound systems, lighting, FX, etc. have all benefited from technology that produces quick results with a very short learning curve, and with far more bling than what was used just 20 years ago.
DJs have, and always will need to have one eye on their NEXT career. Today, instead of cramming a 4 day work week into each weekend I can work any of 7 days a week in A1, A2, or V1, and V2 roles, and at a higher level of theatrical production than anything being done in the mobile or wedding DJ biz. The DJ business WAS a great way to move on to something else - but, I'm not sure that's true anymore. Today, the DJ role has moved more and more into an extension of consumer and personal electronics. Your DJ is more likely to be a moonlighting IT guy than a production or music person.
This isn’t a career that you can do forever though, so I’ve been financially planning/investing for a fulll retirement in my 50’s… but if I can and want to go longer, I have no issue with it.