Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jul. 01, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jul. 01, 2012
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 146,089	$ 155,297	$ 290,057	$ 306,956
Cost of work performed	120,820	129,789	237,989	257,631
Gross profit	25,269	25,508	52,068	49,325
Selling, general and administrative expenses	17,860	22,284	36,951	44,689
Operating income	7,409	3,224	15,117	4,636
Other income/(expense):
Equity income from unconsolidated subsidiaries	385	1,274	827	1,479
Interest income	62	54	103	118
Interest (expense)/reversal, net	(9)	10	301	36
Other, net	55	4	74	33
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	7,902	4,566	16,422	6,302
Provision for income taxes	2,795	1,659	5,598	2,253
Net income from continuing operations before noncontrolling interests	5,107	2,907	10,824	4,049
(Loss)/income from discontinued operations, net of tax		(236)		501
Net income before noncontrolling interests	5,107	2,671	10,824	4,550
Less: Income attributable to noncontrolling interests	347	223	531	406
Net income attributable to Michael Baker Corporation	4,760	2,448	10,293	4,144
Other comprehensive (loss)/income, net of tax:
Unrealized (loss)/gain on investments, net of reclassification adjustments of $6, $18, $6 and $41, respectively	(50)	16	(58)	47
Foreign currency translation adjustments				43
Comprehensive income attributable to Michael Baker Corporation	$ 4,710	$ 2,464	$ 10,235	$ 4,234
Earnings per share ("E.P.S.") attributable to Michael Baker Corporation
Basic E.P.S. - Continuing operations	$ 0.50	$ 0.29	$ 1.08	$ 0.39
Diluted E.P.S. - Continuing operations	$ 0.49	$ 0.28	$ 1.06	$ 0.38
Basic E.P.S. - Net income	$ 0.50	$ 0.26	$ 1.08	$ 0.44
Diluted E.P.S. - Net income	$ 0.49	$ 0.25	$ 1.06	$ 0.43
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.18		$ 0.34