Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jul. 19, 2019
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2019
Entity File Number	1-8726
Entity Registrant Name	RPC, INC.
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	58-1550825
Entity Central Index Key	0000742278
Entity Address, Address Line One	2801 Buford Highway, Suite 300
Entity Address, City or Town	Atlanta
Entity Address, State or Province	GA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	30329
City Area Code	404
Local Phone Number	321-2140
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Trading Symbol	RES
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		214,578,915
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false