Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net Income	$ 93,313	$ 91,332	$ 87,686
Other Comprehensive Income
Foreign currency translation	2,218	(13,240)	(6,643)
Pension and postretirement benefits liability adjustment (net of tax of $5,245, $16,261, and $3,477, respectively)	(8,238)	(25,542)	(5,461)
Total Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	(6,020)	(38,782)	(12,104)
Comprehensive Income	87,293	52,550	75,582
Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	379	(276)	(16)
Comprehensive Income attributable to Graybar Electric Company, Inc.	$ 86,914	$ 52,826	$ 75,598