Exhibit 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS ---------------------------------- We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 33-14058) our report dated February 6, 1997, appearing within Exhibit 13.1 which has been incorporated by reference into various items of Michael Baker Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996. We also consent to the incorporation by reference of our report on the Financial Statement Schedule, which appears as Exhibit 99.2 of this Form 10-K. /s/ Price Waterhouse LLP - ------------------------- Price Waterhouse LLP Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania March 28, 1997