Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net Income	$ 17,723	$ 15,097
Other Comprehensive Income
Foreign currency translation	657	5,104
Pension and postretirement benefits liability adjustment (net of tax of $(1,974) and $(1,828), respectively)	3,101	2,872
Total Other Comprehensive Income	3,758	7,976
Comprehensive Income	21,481	23,073
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	108	293
Comprehensive Income attributable to Graybar Electric Company, Inc.	$ 21,373	$ 22,780