Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 145,237	$ 131,139	$ 452,193	$ 382,233
Cost of work performed	122,463	104,022	380,094	306,591
Gross profit	22,774	27,117	72,099	75,642
Selling, general and administrative expenses	21,385	17,749	66,073	56,982
Operating income	1,389	9,368	6,026	18,660
Other income/(expense):
Equity income from unconsolidated subsidiaries	374	431	1,853	596
Interest income	26	94	144	329
Interest expense, net	(14)	(3)	22	(116)
Other, net	(158)	(217)	(125)	(251)
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	1,617	9,673	7,920	19,218
Provision for income taxes	779	2,378	3,032	5,587
Net income from continuing operations before noncontrolling interests	838	7,295	4,888	13,631
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	322	116	822	101
Net income before noncontrolling interests	1,160	7,411	5,710	13,732
Less: Income attributable to noncontrolling interests	179	178	585	814
Net income attributable to Michael Baker Corporation	981	7,233	5,125	12,918
Other comprehensive (loss)/income, net of tax:
Unrealized (loss)/gain on investments, net of reclassification adjustments		(47)	47	(30)
Foreign currency translation adjustments		20	43	20
Comprehensive income attributable to Michael Baker Corporation	$ 981	$ 7,206	$ 5,215	$ 12,908
Earnings per share ("E.P.S") attributable to Michael Baker Corporation
Basic E.P.S. - Continuing operations	$ 0.07	$ 0.76	$ 0.46	$ 1.38
Diluted E.P.S. - Continuing operations	$ 0.07	$ 0.76	$ 0.45	$ 1.38
Basic E.P.S. - Net income	$ 0.11	$ 0.77	$ 0.55	$ 1.39
Diluted E.P.S. - Net income	$ 0.10	$ 0.77	$ 0.53	$ 1.39