Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 131,139	$ 135,573	$ 382,233	$ 378,989
Cost of work performed	104,022	105,311	306,591	298,610
Gross profit	27,117	30,262	75,642	80,379
Selling, general and administrative expenses	17,749	22,499	56,982	57,354
Operating income	9,368	7,763	18,660	23,025
Other income/(expense):
Equity income from unconsolidated subsidiary	431	496	596	2,055
Interest income	94	106	329	301
Interest expense	(3)	(29)	(116)	(71)
Other, net	(217)	54	(251)	39
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	9,673	8,390	19,218	25,349
Provision for income taxes	2,378	3,353	5,587	9,652
Net income from continuing operations before noncontrolling interests	7,295	5,037	13,631	15,697
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	116	(682)	101	(1,478)
Net income before noncontrolling interests	7,411	4,355	13,732	14,219
Less: Income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(178)	(6)	(814)	(496)
Net income attributable to Michael Baker Corporation	7,233	4,349	12,918	13,723
Other comprehensive (loss)/income
Unrealized loss on investments	(47)	23	(30)	18
Foreign currency translation adjustments	20		20
Comprehensive income attributable to Michael Baker Corporation	$ 7,206	$ 4,372	$ 12,908	$ 13,741
Earnings per share ("E.P.S.") attributable to Michael Baker Corporation
Basic E.P.S.--Continuing operations	$ 0.76	$ 0.56	$ 1.38	$ 1.70
Diluted E.P.S.--Continuing operations	$ 0.76	$ 0.54	$ 1.38	$ 1.67
Basic E.P.S.--Net income	$ 0.77	$ 0.49	$ 1.39	$ 1.54
Diluted E.P.S.--Net income	$ 0.77	$ 0.47	$ 1.39	$ 1.51