Earnings Per Share (Schedule of Earnings Per Share Information) (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Net income (loss) attributable to MasTec:
Net income (loss) - basic (in dollars)	[1]	$ 56,277	$ 7,618	$ 77,672	$ (2,346)
Net income (loss) - diluted (in dollars)	[1]	$ 56,277	$ 7,618	$ 77,672	$ (2,346)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	[2]	80,462	79,845	80,323	80,681
Dilutive common stock equivalents (in shares)		1,083	603	918	0
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted		81,545	80,448	81,241	80,681

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

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