Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 67,055	$ 36,050
Available-for-sale securities		12,323
Receivables, net of allowances of $1,678 and $1,259, respectively	104,177	104,091
Unbilled revenues on contracts in progress	73,087	77,713
Prepaid expenses and other	8,783	8,951
Prepaid income taxes	7,013	7,149
Total current assets	260,115	246,277
Property, Plant and Equipment, net	17,346	20,903
Goodwill	81,598	81,598
Other intangible assets, net	15,174	22,907
Deferred income tax asset	1,389	1,389
Other long-term assets	6,743	6,800
Total assets	382,365	379,874
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable	39,517	44,434
Accrued employee compensation	27,941	25,786
Accrued insurance	10,459	10,580
Billings in excess of revenues on contracts in progress	24,588	24,064
Deferred income tax liability	13,659	13,659
Income taxes payable	224	1,113
Other accrued expenses	10,858	12,905
Total current liabilities	127,246	132,541
Long-term Liabilities
Deferred income tax liability	16,216	16,823
Other long-term liabilities	10,827	9,881
Total liabilities	154,289	159,245
Shareholders' Investment
Common Stock, par value $1, authorized 44,000,000 shares, issued 10,159,498 and 10,066,789, respectively	10,159	10,067
Additional paid-in capital	68,600	66,218
Retained earnings	153,730	148,605
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(90)
Less - 512,818 and 501,207 shares of Common Stock in treasury, at cost, respectively	(5,160)	(4,888)
Total Michael Baker Corporation shareholders' investment	227,329	219,912
Noncontrolling interests	747	717
Total shareholders' investment	228,076	220,629
Total liabilities and shareholders' investment	$ 382,365	$ 379,874