Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net Income	$ 25,145	$ 29,107	$ 37,639	$ 40,457
Other Comprehensive Income
Foreign currency translation	1,703	2,897	(4,656)	299
Pension and postretirement benefits liability adjustment (net of tax of $(1,918), $(1,687), $(3,763) and $(3,439), respectively)	3,011	2,647	5,909	5,400
Total Other Comprehensive Income	4,714	5,544	1,253	5,699
Comprehensive Income	29,859	34,651	38,892	46,156
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	116	171	(73)	76
Comprehensive Income attributable to Graybar Electric Company, Inc.	$ 29,743	$ 34,480	$ 38,965	$ 46,080