Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 81,945	$ 77,443
Available-for-sale securities	14,468	9,795
Receivables, net of allowances of $1,005 and $601, respectively	81,488	73,681
Unbilled revenues on contracts in progress	59,566	58,884
Prepaid expenses and other	6,918	10,400
Total current assets	244,385	230,203
Property, Plant and Equipment, net	15,772	16,847
Goodwill	54,756	53,441
Other intangible assets, net	10,198	14,569
Deferred tax asset	1,730	878
Other long-term assets	5,456	5,127
Total assets	332,297	321,065
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable	32,859	38,918
Accrued employee compensation	25,294	20,638
Accrued insurance	10,737	11,992
Billings in excess of revenues on contracts in progress	17,189	18,816
Deferred income tax liability	6,451	6,405
Income taxes payable	279	545
Other accrued expenses	9,712	8,915
Total current liabilities	102,521	106,229
Long-term Liabilities
Deferred income tax liability	8,614	9,894
Other long-term liabilities	9,121	8,405
Total liabilities	120,256	124,528
Shareholders' Investment
Common Stock, par value $1, authorized 44,000,000 shares, issued 9,838,911 and 9,718,351, respectively	9,839	9,718
Additional paid-in capital	62,249	59,637
Retained earnings	144,219	131,301
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(90)	(80)
Less-499,185 and 495,537 shares of Common Stock in treasury, at cost, respectively	(4,847)	(4,761)
Total Michael Baker Corporation shareholders' investment	211,370	195,815
Noncontrolling interests	671	722
Total shareholders' investment	212,041	196,537
Total liabilities and shareholders' investment	$ 332,297	$ 321,065