Objective: Headspace solid-phasemicroextraction combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) was used to separate and identify the volatile components of Pacific saury. Methods: The odor threshold was used to calculate the relative odor activity value (ROAV) to determine the critical aroma component of the samples under different processing stages. Principal components analysis and variable importance for the projection (VIP) values were used to determine characteristic flavor compounds at different stages. Results: The results showed that 63 volatile components were detected in Pacific saury samples, and aldehydes were the main flavor substances. (E, Z)-2,6-nonadienal, Octanal, Methional, (Z)-4-heptenal, (E, E)-2,6 nonadienal and 1-octene-3 alcohol were considered the essential flavors compounds. Conclusion: The aroma of Pacific saury before salting was characterized with mushroom aroma, while those after salting were fishy and fruity. The flavor components of saury processed by frying were the most abundant, and the aroma was characterized by fat and meaty.