Earnings Per Share (Schedule of Earnings Per Share Information) (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Net loss attributable to MasTec:
Net loss - basic (in dollars)		$ (2,692)	$ (6,263)
Net loss - diluted (in dollars)	[1]	$ (2,692)	$ (6,263)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic		80,156	82,397
Dilutive common stock equivalents (in shares)		0	0
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted		80,156	82,397

[1] Calculated as total net loss less amounts attributable to non-controlling interests.