The post is the territory's head of government, although its powers are considerably more limited than that of a provincial premier.

The office was established in 1978 when most authority was devolved from the appointed commissioner to the leader of the party that had the confidence of the Yukon Legislative Assembly; for the year immediately prior to this, that leader was one of the members serving with the commissioner's Executive Committee (a Cabinet).

From the first conventional legislative elections in 1978 to 1989, the term "government leader" was used.

Tony Penikett chose to change the title to premier for his 1989 to 1992 term amid some controversy.

Pillai was formally sworn in as premier on January 14, 2023, leading a minority government.