Document And Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2018	Nov. 09, 2018
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	RCM TECHNOLOGIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000700841
Trading Symbol	rcmt
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-29
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		12,725,978
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 29, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false