Carlson built his career from the ground up, beginning as an apprentice at Chicago's Lyric Opera and advanced to assistant stage carpenter and steward. After studying sound reinforcement at Columbia College, he expanded his expertise in audio at Allstate Arena before being recruited by Ravinia Festival in 1999 as master carpenter and technical director.

At Ravinia, Carlson's leadership and technical skill extended beyond the festival grounds. He also served as technical director for Freeman Companies' largest annual event, the National Association of Homebuilders Show, helping deliver high-profile programs featuring President George H. W. Bush, Ted Koppel, Terry Bradshaw, Steve Wynn, and other nationally recognized leaders.

Recognized by the membership for his experience, work ethic, and vision, Carlson was elected to the Local 2 Executive Board by what was then the largest vote in the local's history. In 2005, members elected him Business Manager, and his continued record of results led to re-election by acclamation in 2008, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2020, 2023, and 2026.

Throughout his tenure, Carlson has led Local 2 through some of the most challenging periods in modern labor history while delivering historic gains for members and retirees. In 2008, he guided the local through the deepest recession in U.S. history and oversaw a successful restructuring of Local 2's pension plan, resulting in the plan's first-ever 13th checks for pensioners and a funded status above 100%. In 2020, during COVID and the longest work disruption in IATSE history, Carlson secured guaranteed health insurance for retirees, reimbursed COBRA costs for active members, and record-setting stagehand wages when entertainment venues reopened.

Carlson's leadership has also earned the confidence of the broader IATSE. He became an IATSE Vice President in 2008 and was re-elected by acclamation in 2009, 2013, 2017, 2021, and 2025. Since 2009, he has chaired IATSE's 9th District, representing locals across Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, and Missouri. He also serves on the IATSE-PAC Committee and has frequently served as President or Vice President of the Chicago Entertainment Industry Labor Council since 2007.

Beyond Local 2, Carlson has established himself as a respected labor leader throughout Illinois and the entertainment industry. Elected Illinois AFL-CIO Vice President in 2013, he was re-elected by acclamation in 2016, 2020, and 2024. He serves on Chicago's Amalgamated Bank Labor Advisory Board, acts as Technical Advisor to Ravinia Festival, chairs Local 2's Benefit Plan Trustees, presides over the 216 S. Jefferson Street Building Association, and helps raise funds for Operation Warm and other charitable organizations.

Carlson has also made lasting investments in Local 2's future. In 2008, he spearheaded the purchase of the local's first office. In 2023, he secured a $5 million Illinois grant to create the IATSE Local 2 training center and administrative office, which opened in 2025. IATSE President Matthew D. Loeb praised the state-of-the-art center as the result of one of the most effective activism campaigns he had seen and said it would improve the lives of those represented. In 2026, Carlson secured an additional $2 million Illinois grant for upgrades to the Craig P. Carlson Hall and Training Center. He also launched the Journeyman/Apprentice Training Fund in 2007; organized the Joffrey Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Company, Shakespeare Theater, James Lumber Performing Arts Center, UIC Pavilion technicians, Rosalind Franklin College, and the Aragon Ballroom; and negotiated first agreements for work at NOW Arena, The Salt Shed, Lollapalooza, NASCAR in Chicago, Riot Fest, Radius, Ramova Theatre, Spring Awakening, North Coast Fest, Heatwave, Arc Fest, Summer Smash, Huntington Bank Pavilion, SeatGeek Stadium, Soldier Field, Wrigley Field, Rate Field, Union Park, Wintrust Arena, RiverEdge Park, Credit Union 1 Arena, and many more.

Carlson's record has drawn strong recognition from leaders across the IATSE. At a Local 2 membership meeting, IATSE President Emeritus Thomas C. Short declared, "The Carlson Administration has made Local 2 the best stage local in the alliance, bar none!" Under Carlson's leadership, Local 2 has referred stagehands to more than $1.2 billion in wages and collected more than $500 million in employer benefit contributions, surpassing the totals of all previous Local 2 administrations combined. He also built an extensive Midwest training program that helped Local 2 earn more ETCP certifications than any organization in the world.

As International Vice President, Carlson has continued expanding opportunity for workers across the region and beyond. He organized Bloomington's Center for the Performing Arts, Milwaukee's Fiserv Forum, Alpine Valley Music Festival, and Riverside Theatre, while negotiating venue agreements in Kentucky, Iowa, West Virginia, Maryland, and other markets.