Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net Income	$ 33,401	$ 25,694	$ 51,124	$ 40,791
Other Comprehensive Income
Foreign currency translation	2,277	56	2,934	5,160
Pension and postretirement benefits liability adjustment (net of tax of $(2,019), $(1,696), $(3,993), and $(3,524), respectively)	3,171	2,662	6,272	5,534
Total Other Comprehensive Income	5,448	2,718	9,206	10,694
Comprehensive Income	38,849	28,412	60,330	51,485
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	140	69	248	362
Comprehensive Income attributable to Graybar Electric Company, Inc.	$ 38,709	$ 28,343	$ 60,082	$ 51,123