Objective To explore the risk perception characteristics and influencing factors of frontline medical staff during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic, so as to provide effective reference for correctly perceiving the risk, improving stress-coping skills and maintaining mental health during the high-risk and high-intensity combat against the COVID-19 epidemic. Methods A risk perception questionnaire based on the context of COVID-19 epidemic was used to investigate the risk perception level of 181 frontline medical staff fighting against COVID-19 epidemic. Nonparametric test was used to compare the demographic factors and risk perception dimensions. Logistic regression analysis was used to predict the effect of demographic factors on the risk perception level of frontline medical staff. Results During the COVID-19 epidemic, the overall risk perception score of the frontline medical staff was 36.39±8.59, and the scoring rate was 60.65%. The top three dimensions with the highest scoring rate were physical function risk, organization risk and personal safety risk. The score of frontline medical staff in Hubei province was higher than that outside Hubei province (Z=－2.180， P<0.05) and the score of medical technicians (doctors and technicians) was higher than that of nurses (Z=－3.039, P<0.01). The location of frontline medical staff could significantly predict the overall risk perception (P<0.05). Conclusion During the COVID-19 epidemic, the risk perception of frontline medical staff has been found at the medium level, with the risk perception degree of frontline medical staff in Hubei province being higher than that outside Hubei province and the risk perception degree of medical technicians being higher than that of nurses. The location of frontline medical staff can predict their risk perception.