Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net Income	$ 28,397	$ 30,536	$ 66,036	$ 70,993
Other Comprehensive Income
Foreign currency translation	(6,082)	(3,665)	(10,738)	(3,366)
Pension and postretirement benefits liability adjustment (net of tax of $(1,881), $(1,719), $(5,644) and $(5,158), respectively)	2,955	2,701	8,864	8,101
Total Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	(3,127)	(964)	(1,874)	4,735
Comprehensive Income	25,270	29,572	64,162	75,728
Less: Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	(188)	(64)	(261)	12
Comprehensive Income attributable to Graybar Electric Company, Inc.	$ 25,458	$ 29,636	$ 64,423	$ 75,716