CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sales	$ 1,216,197	$ 1,006,782	$ 962,092
Cost of sales	883,989	735,201	697,290
Gross profit	332,208	271,581	264,802
Selling, general and administrative expense	263,757	238,091	245,470
Income from operating	68,451	33,490	19,332
Other income, net	(1,192)	(456)	(5,906)
Interest expense	20,937	17,054	15,564
Total income before taxes	48,706	16,892	9,674
Provision for income taxes	13,185	363	2,523
Net income	35,521	16,529	7,151
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(111)	(359)	(551)
Net income attributable to DXP Enterprises, Inc.	35,632	16,888	7,702
Preferred stock dividend	90	90	90
Net income attributable to common shareholders	35,542	16,798	7,612
Net income	35,521	16,529	7,151
Cumulative translation adjustment, net of income taxes	224	(1,217)	(7,658)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 35,745	$ 15,312	$ (507)
Earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 2.02	$ 0.97	$ 0.51
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.94	$ 0.93	$ 0.49
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	17,553	17,400	15,042
Diluted (in shares)	18,393	18,240	15,882