Earnings Per Share (Schedule of Earnings Per Share Information) (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Net income (loss) attributable to MasTec:
Net income (loss) - basic (in dollars)	[1]	$ 24,088	$ (3,700)	$ 21,395	$ (9,963)
Net income (loss) - diluted (in dollars)	[1]	$ 24,088	$ (3,700)	$ 21,395	$ (9,963)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	[2]	80,351	79,830	80,253	81,106
Dilutive common stock equivalents (in shares)		915	0	790	0
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted		81,266	79,830	81,043	81,106

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

[2] Excludes non-participating unvested restricted share awards.