Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
REVENUE
Commissions	$ 86,717	$ 103,833
Advisory fees	69,409	66,026
Investment banking	18,021	12,383
Interest	10,565	13,042
Principal transactions, net	5,373	6,618
Other	23,176	13,054
Total revenue	213,261	214,956
EXPENSES
Compensation and related expenses	143,878	148,495
Communications and technology	17,706	17,680
Occupancy and equipment costs	15,272	14,903
Clearing and exchange fees	5,854	6,921
Interest	5,356	4,867
Other	32,220	29,430
Total expenses	220,286	222,296
Loss before income taxes from continuing operations	(7,025)	(7,340)
Income taxes	(1,687)	(4,048)
Net loss from continuing operations	(5,338)	(3,292)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	976	(657)
Income taxes	389	(40)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	587	(617)
Net loss	(4,751)	(3,909)
Less net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax	96	(62)
Net loss attributable to Oppenheimer Holdings Inc.	$ (4,847)	$ (3,847)
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to Oppenheimer Holdings Inc.
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.40)	$ (0.25)
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0.04	(0.04)
Net loss per share (in dollars per share)	(0.36)	(0.29)
Earnings Per Share, Diluted [Abstract]
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	(0.40)	(0.25)
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0.04	(0.04)
Net loss per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.36)	$ (0.29)
Weighted average shares
Basic (in shares)	13,399,250	13,379,827
Diluted (in shares)	13,399,250	13,379,827