2 answers
Mike’s Answer
The level of risk a pilot accepts in the normal course of his day depends upon what type of flying he will be engaged in.
Helicopter Emergency Medical Service pilots are a much higher risk than Airline Pilots
Crop Dusters are a higher risk than off shore helicopter pilots.
Overall it is a very safe career. However there are segments of this industry that are riskier than others.
If you have an interest in a specific type of flying please ask.
Best of luck in your career choice.
Michael’s Answer
This will be a highly simplified answer but flying is the safest form of transportation. Commercial airlines are the safest form of air travel. This is due to the rigorous safety standards imposed by the FAA to passenger airlines. Planes in general, but especially commercial jets are built with incredible redundancy; when one system goes down there may be one or several backups. Additionally, pilots follow checklists ensuring the highest safety standard, specifically in the most dangerous times of the flight- takeoff and landing. General or private aviation, while also following robust safety standards, can be a bit more unsafe as they may not have the same standards imposed by the airline, but are still more safe than other forms of transportation. To quote Malcom Gladwell, "planes are as dependable as a toaster."
As a pilot, you will in a more dangerous situation driving to the airport than flying.