Currently, the Personnel Cabinet is comprised of five appropriation units: General Operations, Public Employees Deferred Compensation Authority, Workers' Compensation Benefits and Reserve, the State Salary and Compensation Fund and the Fixed Allocation Non-Hazardous Pension Fund.

The Department of Personnel was created in 1960 under KRS 18.160. At the time of its inception, it was headed by a personnel board consisting of five members appointed by the Governor. The Board had the responsibility to forward to the Governor a list of qualified applicants for the position of Commissioner of Personnel. In 1972, the legislature made the Commissioner of Personnel a direct appointee of the Governor without nominations from the Personnel Board.

In 1982, KRS 18.160 was repealed and re-enacted under KRS chapter 18A.015. Legislation enacted that year also authorized the Department to charge other state agencies their pro rata share of costs associated with the administration of the Executive Branch's personnel-related functions. In 1998, the General Assembly elevated the Department to Cabinet status.