Document And Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2016	Aug. 09, 2016
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	RCM TECHNOLOGIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000700841
Trading Symbol	rcmt
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		12,295,194
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jul. 02, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false